ADDRESS 



DELIVERED AT 



THE SEMI-CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 



MASSACHUSETTS 



HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 



SEPTEMBER 12, 1879. 



MARSHALL P. WILDER, 



EX-PliESIDENT OF THE SOCIETY'. 



BOSTON : 

FRANKLIN PRESS : RAND, AVERY, & CO., 

1879. 



Monograph 






ADDRESS 



DELIVERED AT 



THE SEMI-CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 



MASSACHUSETTS 



HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



SEPTEMBER 12, 1879. 



MARSHALL P. WILDER, 

EX-PRESIDENT OF THE SOCIETY. 



Compliments or 



MARSHALL P. WILDER. 



FRANKLIN TRESS: RAND, AVERY, & CO., 

1879. 



A A 



■I 






ADDRESS. 



Members and Friends of the Massachusetts Horti- 
cultural Society. 

Ladies and Gentlemen, — Assembled as we are under 
the auspices of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, 
and in its own temple, to commemorate the completion 
of its first half-century, it is natural to take a glance at 
the way over which we have travelled. 

From the days when Peregrine White planted the first 
apple-tree, and Gov. Endicott the first pear-tree, within 
the limits of our State ; from the time when Gov. Win- 
throp planted his garden on Governor's Island, or Black- 
stone his orchard in Boston, — Massachusetts has been 
famous for her gardens. But the progress of horticul- 
ture was for a long time slow and feeble. It is eminently 
one of the arts of peace ; and we find, that, after the close 
of the Revolution, the first organized attempt in this 
country to advance the progress of agriculture (which 
includes horticulture) was made by the formation of the 
Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture, which 
was soon followed by the formation of the Massachu- 
setts Society for Promoting Agriculture. In like man- 
ner, the close of the last war with England was followed, 
in 1818, by the organization of the first horticultural 
society in the country, — that of New York. The next 
society, that of Pennsylvania, was organized in Novem- 
ber, 1827, and is therefore the oldest society in the 
country which has had a continued existence to the 
present day. 



The progress and improvement of horticulture since 
the beginning of the present century had been more 
rapid than before ; and it was doubtless a perception of 
this fact, in connection with the belief that its advance- 
ment might be made still more rapid, and the example 
of other societies, which led to the formation of the 
Massachusetts Horticultural Society. The subject had 
been much discussed among lovers of horticulture ; and 
on the 24th of February, 1829, a bitterly cold day, when 
the streets were piled with snow, a meeting of sixteen 
gentlemen convened at the office of Zebedee Cook, jun., 
7i Congress Street, for the purpose of instituting a hor- x 
ticultural society. The Hon. John Lowell, who stood at 
the head of the horticulturists of the State, was chosen 
to preside ; and Mr. Cook was secretary. Besides these, 
there were present H. A. S. Dearborn, Samuel Downer, 
John B. Russell, Enoch Bartlett, Cheever Newhall, Rob- 
ert Manning, John M. Ives, Andrews Breed, and Henry 
A. Breed. The names of the other five are unknown. 
On the 17th of March the constitution and by-laws, 
drawn up by Gen. Dearborn, were adopted, and officers 
were chosen. On the 12th of June it was " enacted 
by the Senate and House of Representatives in General 
Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, that 
Zebedee Cook, jun., Robert L. Emmons, William Worth- 
ington, B. V. French, John B. Russell, J. R. Newell, 
Cheever Newhall, and Thomas G. Fessenden, their 
associates and successors, be, and they hereby are, in- 
corporated under the name and by the description of 
the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, for the pur- 
pose of encouraging and improving the science and 
practice of horticulture, and promoting the amelioration 
of the various species of trees, fruits, plants, and vege- 
tables, and the introduction of new species and varie- 
ties."' Thus, like the morning sun, whose rays, sending 
forth their healthful and benign influences, light up the 



landscape w'th crystal dews, floral gems, luscious fruits, 
and golden harvests, there arose a new era in the science 
of American horticulture, which has not only extended 
its influences all over our own continent, but has reached, 
enriched, beautified, and energized other portions of the 
world. Although not so early in its inception by more 
than a year as the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, 
it was the first incorporated horticultural society on this 
continent, with the exception of the New- York society 
before mentioned. Its first premium list was issued in 
June, 1829 ; while the first list of the Pennsylvania 
society was adopted in January, 1830. 

Of the eleven persons who are known as having at- 
tended the meeting on the 24th of February, 1829, four 

— Messrs. Russell and Ives and the two Messrs. Breed 

— are still living ; while Mr. Russell is the only survivor 
of the eight named in the charter. 

From its first president clown to the present time, the 
society has been fortunate in securing gentlemen to fill 
the chair, all of whom have been cultivators of the 
soil, and lovers of rural art. Dearborn, Cook, Vose, 
Walker, Cabot, Breck, and Stickney have gone before 
us ; but their works do follow them ; while, thanks to 
a kind Providence ! Hovey, Hyde, Strong, Parkman, 
Gray, and he who now addresses you, are still spared to 
labor in carrying out the beneficent designs of its noble 
founders. And permit me, without detracting from the 
enterprise and ability of other pioneers, to say that to 
Henry Alexander Scammel Dearborn, — the first presi- 
dent, whose name will ever be held in grateful remem- 
brance, — more than to any other man, are we indebted 
for the prestige and popularity of the society, at home 
and abroad, in its early history. Others there are 
whose names will be gratefully remembered, and cher- 
ished . as co-laborers and benefactors of the society, 
among whom Robert Manning of Salem, — the great 



6 



leader and reformer in American pomology, who during 
his lifetime collected nearly two thousand varieties of 
fruits, — Downer at Dorchester, ever alert on the search 
for new native fruits, Kenrick of Newton, the Winships 
at Brighton, John Prince, Enoch Bartlett, Elias Phinney, 
George W. Pratt, B. V. French, Aaron D. Weld, Aaron 
D. Williams, and David Haggerston, may be mentioned 
as pre-eminent. 

The society immediately entered upon the work for 
which it was established, by opening a correspondence 
with leading European horticulturists, by laying the 
foundation of a library, and in every other way which 
the active mind of President Dearborn, who was fore- 
most in every good work, could devise. And be it ever 
remembered that to this society the community is 
indebted for the foundation and consecration of Mount 
Auburn Cemetery, — the first rural cemetery in the 
country. This was combined with an Experimental Gar- 
den, some of whose products were shown at the exhi- 
bitions of the society. Although it was found expedient 
to relinquish the control of the cemetery to another 
corporation, its establishment has proved of the highest 
advantage to the society, in ways not anticipated when 
it was founded, which was but about two years from the 
incorporation of the society. 

But the method which the society has ever found 
most advantageous for the promotion of its objects is 
the exhibition of the products of the garden in its 
various departments ; and a glance at these exhibitions 
will be both appropriate and interesting. 

The first exhibition of which we have any record 
was on the 20th of June, 1829, when there were about 
thirty varieties of roses on the tables. As the season 
advanced, the exhibitions increased in extent and 
beauty ; that of August 1 surpassing, we are told, any 
preceding shoAv. August 29, Samuel 11. Johnson brought 



Washington plums measuring six inches and a quarter 
in circumference, and weighing nearly three ounces 
each. The Annual Exhibition was confined to the fruits 
and flowers displayed on the table at the Exchange 
Coffee House, where the anniversary dinner was pro- 
vided ; but it is said " the show of fruits and flowers 
generally was probably never surpassed in New Eng- 
land." The Bloodgoocl and Urbaniste pears, with others 
once highly prized, but which have now been super- 
seded, were shown for the first time. No prizes were 
awarded this year; but on the loth of May, 1830, A. 
Aspinwall received the prize for the best six tulips ; and 
George W. Pratt, the prize for the best six Ranunculus 
Asiaticus, — the first premiums ever awarded by the 
society. July 24, E. Phinney sent Moorpark apricots 
six inches in circumference, which received the pre- 
mium. The Williams, Benoni, Porter, Hubbardston 
Nonsuch, and Gravenstein apples, made their appear- 
ance for the first time. A single specimen of the 
Duchesse d'Angouldme pear was produced by Samuel 
G. Perkins, and pronounced superior to the St. 
Michael. Fruit was at this time a more prominent 
object than flowers. The only flowers of which any 
considerable variety was exhibited were the geranium, 
rose, and chrysanthemum. Forced vegetables were 
shown by Mrs. Gore's gardener. Capt. Smith of 
Quincy presented " a kind of manure from Peru, called 
by the Spaniards guano." 

The exhibitions of flowers, which had been largely 
of hardy herbaceous plants, began in 1831 to show a 
decided increase in green-house plants, such as camel- 
lias, Musa coccinea, Hoya carnosa, Maranta sebrina, &c. 
The Dearborns Seedling pear was shown from the 
original tree. June 15, 1833, Messrs. Winships con- 
tributed a hundred and thirty varieties of roses. 

The Annual Exhibition in 183-4 was held in Faneuil 



8 



Hall, and was the first on the plan which has every 
year since been continued, and fulfilled the high expec- 
tations which had been formed. The Gladiolus Natalen- 
sis, or psittacinus, was shown by Samuel Sweetser, and 
the marrow squash by John M. Ives. March 7, 1835, 
the first Indian azaleas were presented by Thomas 
Mason of the Charlestown Vineyard. July 2, 1836, 
Marshall P. Wilder exhibited Gladiolus floribundus. The 
Belle Lucrative and Beurre Bosc pears were shown by 
Robert Manning- at the Annual Exhibition. In 1837 
the first orchid mentioned, Oncidium fleamosum, with 
ninety-seven expanded blooms, came from Marshall P. 
Wilder. The Large Yellow Bough apple, and the 
Rostiezer and Louise Bonne of Jersey pears, were 
shown for the first time. The Phlox Drummondi was 
first seen this year. June 9, 1838, W 7 . Kenrick showed 
Wistaria Consequana , which had just been ascertained 
to be hardy. The Verbena Tweediana was extensively 
cultivated and greatly admired. The rhubarb and 
tomato were coming into general cultivation at this 
time. Hovey's Seedling strawberry was first shown 
June 29, 1839. The dahlia had been growing in 
popularity; and on the 23d of September, 1840, the 
first grand Dahlia Show commenced, and continued 
four days. Nearly three thousand blooms were dis- 
played, besides asters and other flowers. August 11, 
1841, Lilium lancifolium was shown by Marshall P. 
Wilder, and pronounced by the committee " a superb 
plant ; " but its hardiness was not known until some 
years later. 

In 1842, cultivators having learned from Mr. Hag- 
gerston's discovery, to which he was stimulated by a 
premium of one hundred dollars offered by the society, 
how to prevent the ravages of the rose-slug, the exhibi- 
tion of roses was finer than ever. The Elizabeth pear 
was shown by R. Manning, and the Tyson by William 



9 



Oliver. In this year the anniversary of the society was 
celebrated by the first Triennial Festival. It was held 
at Concert Hall, which on this occasion presented a 
scene of unsurpassed beauty. The question of admit- 
ting ladies to the tables had been discussed ; and objec- 
tions were made on the ground, that, if we had the 
ladies, we could not have wine : but the better judgment 
prevailed, the wine being cast out, and women being 
kept in. And here I am reminded that when, in 1830, 
" women's rights " were incidentally discussed on a prop- 
osition to elect as honorary members Mrs. Gov. Gore, 
Mrs. Dix, and Mrs. Griffith of New Jersey, all known for 
their zeal in forwarding the objects of the society, some 
thought it of doubtful expediency, because a woman in 
the garden made great trouble as long ago as the days 
of Adam. Gen. Dearborn, however, silenced all cavil- 
lers, and the candidates were admitted ; and now ladies 
are elected, not merely honorary, but immediate mem- 
bers ; and not only are our discussions and other meet- 
ings graced by their presence, but their contributions to 
the exhibitions are among the most beautiful and 
attractive in the halls. The Bon Silene rose was first 
exhibited May 20, 1843. The Lawrence and Doyenne 
Boussock pears, and the Mother, Ladies' Sweet, and 
Northern Spy apples, were first brought before the so- 
ciety in the same year. August 24, 1844, sixteen dishes 
of Washington plums were shown by as many contrib- 
utors. Some of the largest specimens averaged three 
ounces and one-eighth in weight. The next week there 
were seventy dishes of plums, in thirty varieties. The 
Beurre d'Anjou pear was shown by Marshall P. Wilder 
at the annual exhibition. 

This brings us to an epoch in the history of the 
society, — the erection of the first horticultural hall, 
— which suggests a brief review of what may be called 
the first era in the history of the society. It was espe- 



10 



cially noted for zeal in the cultivation of fruit, and most 
of all of the pear. The leading cultivators sought to 
bring together in their collections all known varieties, to 
test their qualities and their adaptation to our climate. 
The fruit-growers of our day have but a faint idea of 
the vast amount of care, time, labor, and money, spent 
in making the collections from which has been obtained 
the information, now so easily accessible to all, as to 
the most desirable varieties for cultivation. And not 
only were the best varieties unknown, but there was 
much confusion and perplexity in the nomenclature of 
fruits. To clear up this confusion by careful compari- 
son was another object in making large collections of 
fruit. This work, in its various branches, was so dili- 
gently begun and pursued during this first era of the 
society, as to form its most prominent feature. It was 
an era of collections. 

The lovers of flowers were hardly less diligent in col- 
lecting every novelty in their branch of horticulture. 
The enthusiasm in the cultivation of the dahlia eclipsed 
even the love for the rose. Every new variety an- 
nounced in European catalogues was imported, some- 
times at enormous cost ; and special shows were held for 
the display of the finest specimens. The number of 
varieties of roses had increased so that those who could 
remember when there were but from six to ten varie- 
ties, limited in their time of flowering to the month of 
June, could count them by hundreds ; and some of them 
were in bloom nearly the whole year. Next in impor- 
tance to the dahlia and the rose as a floral gem in the 
open air, came the hyacinth. The tulip was much more 
largely grown than it is now ; and beds containing thou- 
sands of bulbs, and protected by houses built to screen 
them from the sun and bad weather, were shown in per- 
fection. Among green-house plants, the collections 
were particularly rich in camellias. It was during this 



11 



era that ocean steam-navigation was established, giving 
a powerful impetus to horticulture by the facilities 
which it afforded for the interchange and concentration 
of the fruits and flowers of every climate, many of which 
found a place in the orchards and gardens of New Eng- 
land. And not only in New England, but in distant 
States, might be seefi fruits and flowers whose existence 
could be traced to the influence of the Massachusetts 
Horticultural Society. 

I have thus briefly summed up some of the principal 
events in the history of the first era of the society. 
Prosperous and progressive as it had been during its 
first fifteen years, we come now to an event which 
marks an epoch, and introduces a new era in its his- 
tory, — the erection of the first horticultural hall, which 
was, so far as is known, the first building ever erected 
for the use of any horticultural society in the world. 

The corner-stone was laid on the 14th of September, 

1844, with appropriate services, in the presence of a 
large assembly, on the site of the old Latin schoolhouse, 
now covered by the east end of the Parker House. He 
who now addresses you performed the service of de- 
positing the leaden casket of coins and documents, and 
pronouncing a brief address on the rise and progress of 
the society to that day. Of the fifteen members of the 
building committee, only Mr. C. M. Hovey and myself 
still live. The hall was dedicated on the 15th of May, 

1845, with an address by Hon. George Lunt, and was 
formally opened to the public at the exhibition on the 
31st of the same month. In the words of Mr. Hovey, 
in his address on laying the corner-stone of the present 
edifice in 1864, " From that time, the progress of the 
society has been more rapid, and the influence felt 
throughout the entire country. New life and fresh 
vitality were infused into the society. It had the sym- 
pathy, as it had the substantial aid, of the public. It 



12 



was appreciated as its founders intended it should be. 
Its objects seemed all at once to become apparent." 
The possession of a home of its own made it a perma- 
nent institution in the community. The increased taste 
for horticulture, which had led to the erection of a hall, 
was, in its turn, stimulated by the possession of this 
beautiful building. The amount of money appropriated 
for prizes — which was in 1829 only $188, and had been 
gradually increased to $460 in 1844 — was in 1845 raised 
to $1,200; and the exhibitions became so extensive, 
that it is difficult to select the objects most worthy of 
notice. Bouquets were exhibited in great profusion. 
There were on the 21st of June, 1845, no less than 
thirty-three, from eight contributors, and in a multi- 
plicity of forms, — round and flat vase-bouquets, round 
and flat hand-bouquets, doubled-faced flat hand-bou- 
quets, circular bouquets, &c. At the Annual Exhi- 
bition, prizes were offered for the best designs ; and a 
floral temple, a Gothic monument, and a Chinese pa- 
goda, each from fifteen to eighteen feet high, were 
exhibited, besides smaller designs, such as a harp, a 
plough, an eagle, and a Newfoundland dog, covered 
with pressed black hollyhocks and gray moss, and carry- 
ing a basket of flowers. The Stephanotls floribunda , " a 
very rare and elegant hot-house climber," was shown 
by J. M. Thorburn & Co. of New York. 

The beginning of the next year (1846) was signal- 
ized by awards, of the value of fifty dollars each, for 
the production of the seedling camellias of Mr. Wilder, 
the Queen of the Prairies rose of Samuel Feast of 
Baltimore, and the Hovey's Seedling strawberry. The 
La Reine and Souvenir de Malmaison roses were shown. 
The exhibitions of fruit were stimulated by the offer of 
special prizes by John P. Cushing. In 1847 the Pro- 
spective Prizes were established, and medals were pro- 
cured to be awarded as premiums. At this time, and for 



13 



some years previous, there was a general enthusiasm in 
regard to the hybridization of plants, particularly the 
camellia and dahlia, and also in regard to the intro- 
duction of new varieties. As an illustration of this 
enthusiasm, we may mention that two hundred and fifty 
dollars was paid for a plant of Camellia Floyii, and ten 
guineas for a plant of the Dahlia Hope. The displays 
of camellias were very extensive : on the 12th of Feb- 
ruary, 1848, Marshall P. Wilder exhibited thirty-three 
varieties ; Hovey & Co., sixteen varieties ; and J. L. 
L. F. Warren, twelve varieties. The new hall of the 
society having been found too small for the Annual 
Exhibition, it was held in Faneuil Hall. Marshall P. 
Wilder exhibited two hundred varieties of pears ; Robert 
Manning, two hundred and sixty varieties of pears, and 
one hundred and eighteen of apples ; John Fisk Allen, 
thirty-three varieties of foreign grapes ; and Samuel 
W. Cole, one hundred varieties of potatoes. The first 
special Rose Show was held in June, 1849. The next 
year the Garden Committee was established. Hovey & 
Co. made the first of those beautiful shows of azaleas 
and rhododendrons which have been so much admired. 
John P. Gushing exhibited magnificent specimens of 
pears from walls and under glass. At the Annual Show 
the collection of one hundred and forty-one finely 
grown varieties of apples from B. V. French was an 
exhibition of itself. In 1851 the Weigelia rosea was 
introduced by Marshall P. Wilder, and the Champion 
of England pea by Azell Bowditch ; the Jenny Lind 
strawberry was shown by the originator ; John P. 
Gushing exhibited a collection of thirty-three varieties 
of strawberries ; Andre Leroy of Angers, France, sent 
a collection of one hundred and sixteen varieties of 
pears, including the Doyenne du Cornice, besides other 
fruit. In 1852 Messrs. Winship exhibited the Dielytra 
spectabilis. The Annual Exhibition was, in this and 



14 

the two succeeding years, held under a tent in the 
Public Garden or the Common, giving ample space for 
a grand display. The year 1853 was made memorable 
by the exhibition by John Fisk Allen, of that extraor- 
dinary plant, the Victoria regia. The Concord grape, 
and the Dana's Hovey and the Beurre Superfin pears, 
were first shown ; and the first Prospective Prize was 
awarded to Hovey & Co for their seedling cherry. 
The interest in native plants revived under the exten- 
sive exhibitions of Dennis Murray and others. Igna- 
tius Sargent sent several bunches of Black Hamburg 
grapes, weighing upwards of four pounds each, and one 
of seven pounds and a half. The first hybrid grape, 
originated by J. F. Allen, and bearing his name, was 
shown by him in 1851. From this time we may date 
the interest in the improvement of native grapes, which 
has resulted in adding so many new kinds to our cata- 
logues. This year also was marked by the exhibition, 
from Marshall P. Wilder, of the Cissus discolor, one of 
the harbingers of the endless variety of ornamental-foli- 
aged plants now so generally cultivated and admired. 
The American Pomological Society, in the formation of 
which our society had been primarily instrumental, met 
in Horticultural Hall ; and the members contributed 
largely to the exhibition of fruits in the pavilion on the 
Common. The Music Hall, being completed the next 
year, commended itself as a most desirable place for 
the Annual Exhibition, which was held there for three 
successive years, and frequently since. In 1856 the 
Clematis Jackmanni, and other varieties, were shown 
by Edward S. Rand, jun. May 2, 1857, the Detrtzia 
gracilis was shown by T. G. Whytal for the first time, 
though it had been introduced several years before. 
The Yersaillaise currant was exhibited by W. C. Strong. 
Messrs. Gracff of New York sent to the Annual Exhibi- 
tion the first Wardian cases. The society returned to 



15 

the old custom of an address at the Annual Show, which 
was delivered by Rev. Henry Ward Beecher. 

The exhibitions through the season of 1858 were 
held monthly, instead of weekly, as before. Hovey & 
Co. exhibited at one time twenty-five varieties of sum- 
mer pears, and, at another, one hundred and twenty-five 
varieties of verbenas. At the Annual Exhibition this 
year were seen the first indications of the taste for ferns 
and lycopods, the beautiful forms of which are now 
found in every green-house. 

In 1859 the Wilson's Albany strawberry was shown ; 
the committee remarking that " the specimens did not, 
on trial, commend themselves for their quality." Au- 
gust 20, Hovey & Co. displayed a hundred and thirty 
varieties of annuals, and, at the Annual Exhibition, the 
first extensive collection of variegated-leaved plants, and 
also of coniferous plants. Orchard-house culture was 
gradually becoming more general. This year was the 
last in the hall which had been the home of the society 
for fifteen years ; the estate having been sold to Mr. 
Parker. The weekly shows were kept up at Amory 
Hall the next season with much interest. The hybrid 
perpetual roses showed the results of increased atten- 
tion. June 30, Oliver Bennet exhibited fifty Crawford's 
Late peaches, some of which measured more than a foot 
in circumference. The Clapp's Favorite pear was 
shown for the first time. A special prize for Bartlett 
pears at the Annual Exhibition brought out fifty-five 
competitors. This year witnessed the culmination of 
the great collections of pears, Marshall P. Wilder and 
Hovey & Co., each exhibiting three hundred dishes, — a 
larger number than has since been shown. The dahlia 
was slowly going out of favor; but at the Annual 
Exhibition there were a " number of neat, pretty little 
baskets of flowers, showing in what dainty contrasts 



16 



flowers could be arranged, and what pretty effects could 
be produced by skilful fingers." 

The season of 1861 was one of the most unfavorable 
ever known both for fruits and flowers ; yet at the Rose 
Show bushels of flowers were taken away for want of 
room to show them. The Rogers's hybrid grapes were 
first shown. The Eucharis Amazonica, Lapageria rosea, 
and Caladium argi/rites, were among the notabilities 
in plants. 1862 was as favorable for an abundance of 
fruits and flowers as the preceding year had been un- 
propitious, and was noted for the appearance of the 
Lilium auratum, and for the ninth session of the Ameri- 
can Pomological Society. The next year came the 
Coleus Verschaffelti, and the first of those beautiful dis- 
plays of seedling gladioli which now form so attractive 
a portion of our exhibitions. In 1864 the hybrid per- 
petual roses were recorded as very large and perfect. 
At the Annual Show there were eighteen or twenty 
baskets of flowers (some arranged with exquisite taste), 
a collection of twenty -five varieties of native grapes, and 
one of a hundred and two varieties of beans. 

This closes what we have designated the second era 
in the history of the society. It will be seen, that, as 
respects the pear, the work of collections during this era 
culminated, and the work of selection had well pro- 
gressed. It was during this period that two of our 
most valuable native pears, the Dana's Hovey and 
Clapp's Favorite, were originated by members of the 
society, and first made known through its exhibitions. 
A great number of varieties of strawberries had been 
tested, including all the European kinds of high 
repute, most of which had proved not to be adapted 
to this climate. We have noted the commencement of 
the excitement in regard to native grapes, and the 
advent of the Concord, the Allen's Hybrid, and other 
improved varieties, and the share of our society in the 



17 



establishment of the American Pomological Society, two 
of whose meetings and exhibitions were held under the 
auspices of the former in this era. 

In the flower department we have noted the intro- 
duction of the deutzias, the weigelia, the clielytra, and 
the Lilium auratum. A period which includes the 
introduction of such beautiful and popular plants must 
be deemed a most important one ; yet we might add 
the names of hundreds more only less conspicuous than 
these. Among green-house plants perhaps the most 
extraordinary acquisition was the Victoria regia ; and, 
though not now cultivated here, such is not the case 
with the multitudes of variegated-leaved plants, the 
introduction of which took place at about the same 
time with the flowering of the Victoria, and the taste 
for which has been continually increasing. Among 
flowering plants Ave can only allude to the improvement 
in the azalea, the fuchsia, the gloxinia and other 
green-house plants. In the garden we notice the mul- 
tiplication of beautiful roses, and especially the advent 
and improvement of the hybrid perpetual class. Xext 
to the rose, the gladiolus showed most advance, but 
hardly more than that in hardy rhododendrons and aza- 
leas, in tree and herbaceous pa?onies, in the phlox, the 
astor, the petunia, and the hollyhock ; while the taste 
for the dahlia — once next to the rose in popularity — 
was on the decline. Nor would we overlook the revival 
of interest in the exhibition of native plants. In new 
seedlings originated here, the greatest advance was 
shown in the gladiolus ; but the phlox continued to be 
a favorite subject of improvement ; and the hardy rho- 
dodendrons, Japan lilies, petunias, and many others on 
a smaller scale, were the subjects of successful experi- 
ments. 

Closely connected with the cultivation of flowers is the 
growth of a better taste in regard to their arrangement 



18 



in bouquets, baskets, and other designs ; for which we 
are largely indebted to the lady members of the soci- 
ety. The large designs which show the skill of the 
architect rather than the taste of the florist are justly 
banished from our halls. The establishment of the 
Committee on Gardens marks the progress, not only of 
improvement in the culture of fruit, flower, and vege- 
table gardens, but in the laying-out of ornamental and 
pleasure grounds with artistic effect. It was during 
this era that the Hunnewell Triennial Premiums were 
established by the generous patron of horticulture whose 
name they bear, to promote the application of science, 
skill, and taste to landscape-gardening. 

In the kitchen-garden we have noticed the zeal of 
cultivators in testing large collections of potatoes, beans, 
squashes, and turnips, and the improved varieties intro- 
duced ; while the specimens exhibited showed a marked 
improvement in cultivation. The tomato, in its change 
from a soft and wrinkled state to the smooth and solid 
varieties now exclusively grown, is a most, striking 
example of improvement. 

This era was especially noted for its brilliant festivals 
in Faneuil Hall, graced by large assemblages of ladies 
and gentlemen. Among those who thus met to do 
honor to the society were many of the most distin- 
guished persons in our land, of whom we may re- 
member Daniel Webster, Edward Everett, William H. 
Seward, Andrew Jackson Downing, Caleb Cushing, 
Robert C. Winthrop, Morton McMichael, and Madam 
Alexander Hamilton. These festivals gave great pop- 
ularity to the society, and assisted in bringing to its 
treasury increased donations, the interest of which was 
to be distributed in prizes to promote the objects of the 
society. The mention of these generous gifts at once 
recalls to your minds the honored names of Appleton, 
Lowell, Lyman, Bradlee, Hunnewell, and French. 



19 



The twenty years of this era were years of prosper- 
ity to the society ; and, though they include several of 
the most inauspicious seasons known since its founda- 
tion, the number of contributors to the shows was so 
large, that a contribution of a comparatively small por- 
tion of the products of each garden and green-house 
afforded, even in the most unfavorable years, an inter- 
esting and instructive exhibition. And if, in such a 
year, there was the appearance of retrogression, it was 
but temporary ; and the return of a more genial season 
restored all that had been lost, and added much more. 

And now we come to what I have termed the third 
or present era in our history. 

The growth of the society, and its influence both at 
home and abroad, had been constantly increasing, so 
that the want of a larger and more commodious build- 
ing was year by year more strongly felt. This need 
resulted in the purchase of the present site, and the 
erection of this beautiful structure, the corner-stone of 
which was laid on the 18th of August, 1864, the build- 
ing being dedicated on the 16th of September, 1865. 
Appropriate addresses were delivered on both these 
occasions by President Charles M. Hovey, who, through 
all the stages of the project, had been its firm and con- 
stant friend. The erection of this building seemed to 
be the crowning glory in the history of the society ; but 
few are aware of the difficulties encountered in bring- 
ing the plan to a successful issue. The incurring of a 
large debt was, in the minds of some of our best 
friends, of doubtful expediency; but, thanks to an in- 
domitable and immutable friend, Charles O. Whitmore, 
this objection was overcome, and to him more than 
to any other man are we indebted for this temple of hor- 
ticulture. Not only did he adhere with firmness and 
perseverance to the plan of the committee, until all its 
members signed the report in favor of erecting the new 



20 



hall ; but he also, with Mr. Hunnewell and Mr. Cheney, 
presented the statues which adorn its walls. 

In this third era we see the result and development 
— the flower and fruit — of the good seed sown 
through all the previous history of the society ; a result 
so rich, that we can hut glance at it : and indeed we 
have less need for detail here than in the earlier 
years, for it is within the recollection of even the 
younger members of the society, and, moreover, it 
will be found fully related in the history of the society, 
soon to be published. 

In this era occurred the Rhododendron Show on the 
Common, the most successful horticultural exhibition 
ever held in Boston. Who that saw it does not still 
retain the remembrance of its surpassing beauty I And 
for those who saw it, as well as for those who had not that 
privilege, we have a memorial in the fund which accrued 
from it, and which was presented to the society by the 
generous friend, Mr. Hunnewell, who conceived and 
carried out the plan to encourage the cultivation of his 
favorite flower. 

In this era, too, occurred the gift of ex-President 
Stickney, for the increase and benefit of the library, 
which has resulted in placing within reach of every 
member of the society the most valuable collection of 
books on horticulture and kindred subjects, to be found 
in this country, if, indeed, it can be equalled in the 
world. Nor must we omit in this connection the be- 
quest of the valuable horticultural and botanical library 
by which that long-tried friend of the society, John 
Lewis Russell, who had served it so many years as pro- 
fessor of botany, testified his remembrance and regard. 

Here, also, we may appropriately refer to the work of 
the society in collecting and disseminating horticultural 
information by the lectures and discussions inaugurated 
during this era, under the presidency of Mr. Strong, to 



21 



whom we are most indebted for the success attained ; 
and by the publications of the society, which, though 
beginning with its foundation, have of late attained an 
importance, which, excepting the period from 1847 to 
1852, they did not possess in any previous era. And 
this leads me to speak of the growth, in our country 
generally, of horticultural literature, which, at the organ- 
ization of the society, could hardly be said to exist. In 
the formation of this literature the members of this 
society, and especially ex-President Hovey, to whose 
long series of volumes we point with pride, may claim 
to have had their full share. 

To come ' more directly to gardening : the era which 
we speak of was noted for the development of carpet 
and ribbon gardening, which gave to our gardens a bril- 
liancy and richness unknown before. This was rendered 
possible by the introduction of numbers of new varie- 
ties of pelargoniums, coleus, achyranthes, centaurea, and 
of other species before unknown, and at the same time 
stimulated the introduction and production of plants 
suited to the effects at which it aims. With it came 
sub-tropical gardening, imparting to our lawns and 
pleasure-grounds, by the use of palms, tree-ferns, agaves, 
musas, draca?nas, caladiums, and similar plants, an air of 
refinement and distinction before unknown. It appears 
to me that the introduction of these and the multitude 
of ornamental-foliaged plants, both hardy and tender, 
which now enrich our gardens, is the most characteristic 
feature of the present era in horticulture. Our wealth 
in the rich forms of tropical foliage, and the skill of our 
cultivators, were revealed in the exhibitions of 18 To, 
1874, and 1875, when the spacious Music Hall appeared 
transformed into a tropical garden. The names of half 
the species which have been introduced would extend 
this address beyond all reasonable limits. The mention 
of Bougainvillea, Cyanophyllum, Anthurium, Allamanda, 



99 



Sanchezia, Dalechampia, Medinilla, Dracaena, Aloeasia, 
Croton, Panclanus, Phormium, Phyllota?nium, and Be- 
gonia, calls up at once the recollection of hundreds of 
others, rich in flower and foliage beyond any thing 
dreamed of when this society was formed. The same 
may be said of the curious and delicate forms of green- 
house ferns ; yet these are rivalled by the species from 
our own woods, which have been during this era so 
thoroughly studied, and brought into cultivation. Hot- 
house orchids were hardly known here half a century 
ago ; yet at almost every exhibition now they surprise 
and delight us by some new and wonderful form, or 
gorgeous color. In the out-door garden, the develop- 
ment of the hybrid perpetual roses, in their endless varie- 
ties of form and color, would alone have signalized this 
era ; yet we have seen equal improvement in the Rho- 
dodendron, while the new Deutzias, Hydrangeas, Vibur- 
nums, the Azalea mollis, and the Aquilegias, are repre- 
sentatives of plants which are destined to find a place in 
every garden. That our cultivators have not merely in- 
troduced, but originated new plants, is witnessed by the 
magnificent Lilies of Mr. Hovey and Mr. Parkman, the 
Draca?nas of Mr. Butler and Mr. Harris, the Pa?onies of 
Mr. Richardson and Dr. Kirtlancl, the Carnations and 
Gladioli of Messrs. Hyde, Richards, Crafts, and others, 
and the numerous seedling Lilies, Coleus, Iris, Phloxes, 
Delphiniums, Pelargoniums, and other flowers almost 
weekly presented. 

The extent of the cultivation and improvement of 
particular flowers is testified by the special exhibitions 
to which the Rose, the Rhododendron, the Pelargo- 
nium, the Indian Azalea, and the Chrysanthemum have 
given their names. The winter exhibitions, especially 
of roses, have of late grown in extent and beauty ; the 
exhibitions and discussions having exerted a mutually 
beneficial effect. 



23 



It is to be noticed as another prominent characteristic 
of the horticulture of this era, that the enjoyment of 
flowers is not confined to those who cultivate them as 
luxuries of the green-house and conservatory. The 
yearly increasing market for flowers evidences a wide- 
spread taste for them in the community ; while the 
multiplication of cheap glass structures for their pro- 
duction strikes every one who makes the slightest in- 
quiry into the progress of horticulture. Equally striking 
is the fact that large quantities of forced roses, and other 
green-house flowers produced by the skill of our florists, 
are sent by them to distant parts of the country, whose 
natural advantages are far superior to ours. But we 
believe that the disadvantages under which we labor are 
more than counterbalanced by the stimulus which they 
have given to cultivators ; for it is conceded that hor- 
ticulture as an art is carried to higher pefection in 
Massachusetts than in any other part of our country. 

" But ever on the bleakest rock 

YVe bid the brightest beacon glow, 
And still upon the thorniest stock 
The sweetest roses love to blow. 

So, on our rude and wintry soil 
We feed the kindling flame of art, 

And steal the tropic's blushing spoil 
To bloom on Nature's ic}' heart." 

In the fruit department we seem to have approached 
more nearly to the limit of improvement, and our culti- 
vators are exacting in their requirements of a new can- 
didate for a place in their gardens or orchards ; yet we 
must not omit that extraordinary pear, the Souvenir du 
Congivs, the seedlings of Messrs. Clapp (particularly the 
fine variety named in memory of Frederick Clapp), the 
many seedlings by Dr. Shurtleff, Mr. Dana, and others, 
Mr. Fenno's Norfolk cherry ; the new strawberries and 



24 

grapes originated by zealous cultivators, and the many 
raspberries, gooseberries, blackberries, and other small 
fruits introduced. The fame of the society has attracted 
from distant places collections of fruit to be submitted to 
the judgment of its committees and members, and we 
have had the satisfaction of examining the productions 
of orchards from Nova Scotia to Nebraska and Cali- 
fornia. By the exhibition and meeting of the American 
Pomological Society, held under the auspices of our 
society during the era of which we speak, and by the 
part taken in the pomological department of the Cen- 
tennial Exposition, we may claim a share in the advance- 
ment of fruit-growing throughout the country. The 
advance and extension of fruit-culture are shown in the 
enormous and yearly increasing quantities sold in our 
markets, and not less is the improvement in the cpiality 
and varieties of vegetables. The exportation of fruit 
has also' attained such proportions that I must not omit 
an allusion to it here, as largely due to the influence of 
this society. 

Bat horticulture includes more than the finest fruits 
or flowers, or the neatest and most skilful cultivation. 
In its application to landscape-gardening it becomes a 
fine art. To use the words of Mr. Winthrop, "It is in 
its most comprehensive sense emphatically the Fine Art 
of common life. It is eminently a Republican Fine Art. 
It distributes its productions with equal hand to the rich 
and the poor. Its implements may be wielded by every 
arm, and its results appreciated by every eye. It deco- 
rates the dwelling of the humblest laborer with undoubted 
originals by the oldest masters, and places within his 
daily view fruit-pieces such as Van lluysum never 
painted, and landscapes such as Poussin could only 
copy/' It Avas intended by the founders of the Garden 
and Cemetery at Mount Auburn (hat these grounds 
should ultimately offer an example of the best style of 



25 



landscape or picturesque gardening. This design has 
been realized not only in Mount Auburn and other 
cemeteries, but in such private grounds as those of 
Messrs. Hunnewell, Payson, Sargent, Gray, and Hayes, 
which as the finest specimens of art, with their beautiful 
lawns, and rare trees and plants, are among the strongest 
attractions either to our own residents, or to visitors from 
abroad. 

And now, my friends, permit me in conclusion to say, 
that, among the various invitations which I have received 
to address my fellow- citizens, I have never been honored 
with one which I more readily accepted, or more highly 
appreciated, than the invitation to address you on this 
occasion, coming as it does from those with whom I 
have labored for so many years. Never have I more 
heartily joined with you than I do now in commemorat- 
ing the fiftieth anniversary of our society ; and I am 
quite j- ure there is no one here who does not rejoice 
sincerely in this occasion. 

I have summed up briefly, and as well as impaired 
health would admit, a sketch of the results of a half- 
century's work. To do justice to the subject would 
extend this address far beyond the limits of your pa- 
tience ; but I trust I have given you some idea of the 
work accomplished by this society. This is the harvest 
we have reaped. These are the fruits we have gathered. 
But many are the seeds which we have sown which have 
not yet germinated, and which will bless the world long 
after we have passed away from it. With many of us 
the sun is fast sinking behind the horizon of life ; but 
the fruits of your labors will continue to enrich with 
golden hues and spicy odors the tables of posterity for 
ages after we have dropped, like the fruits of autumn, 
to rise no more. 

One after another of us will pass away. Few of those 
present will attend the anniversary of this society at the 



26 



close of the half-century upon which we have entered ; 
but our society shall still live on and prosper. Others 
will rise up, and carry on the good work ; and as they 
come with fruits and flowers — the results of their labors 
— to adorn these halls, they will remember those who 
have gone before. Thus from generation to generation 
may this temple continue to stand, and honor the names 
of those who erected it. 

Commemorating as we do by this celebration the com- 
pletion of the first half-century of the existence of our 
society, it is natural to look forward to the future of its 
history. When we reflect upon what has already been 
accomplished, how from its small beginnings it has risen 
to its present usefulness and renown, who does not feel 
that its future is yet to be equally prosperous and glo- 
rious ? 

The seed which has been sown, 

"Though it long lies buried in the dust, 
Shall not deceive our hope," 

but will continue to spring up for years to come. Much as 
has been accomplished, still greater results are in store for 
posterity ; and as time advances, still richer acquisitions 
in fruit and flower will gladden the eyes, and charm the 
senses ; and, as you and your posterity shall come up to 
these altars with your votive offerings, let all remember 
with gratitude those who laid the foundations of this 
society, and those who have so actively co-operated with 
us to advance the objects of our institution, and have 
brought it forward to its present prosperous condition. 
As the members from time to time congregate in these 
halls, think you not, that, if these portraits could speak 
from the canvas, they would bless you for your works I 
Methinks they now speak to us, and rejoice with us in 
the good which this institution has bestowed on the 
world. 



27 

And now, remembering those who have gone before, 
let us extend a hearty welcome to those who are to suc- 
ceed us. 

Welcome to our homes, and the beautiful grounds 
which we have made and planted for your happiness ! 
Welcome to our fruitful orchards, smiling gardens, and 
charming landscapes, which we shall leave to you ! 
Welcome to these halls, whose walls have resounded so 
often with cordial greetings and friendly salutations ; 
where thousands shall minister in the future at the al- 
tars of nature and of art, until perfection shall crown 
our tables, and gladden our sight, and we shall have 
exchanged the cultivation of the soil for the culture of 
the soul ! 

Welcome to its libraries and to all its privileges and 
pleasures ! and when at last we shall relinquish our 
labors on earth, may we fall into the lap of mother- 
earth, like the ripened fruits of summer, then to be 
welcomed to those celestial fields, and to that richer 
inheritance in the better land where the flower shall 
never fade, the leaf never wither, the fruit never perish; 
to the rewards of a well-spent life on earth, that we may 
partake of the tree which bears immortal fruit, — its 
bloom on earth, its fruit in heaven. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRES 



000 224 870 



